On Friday 21st February, Ruth Cadbury joined Twickenham Police for the afternoon, as they patrolled parts of her constituency.
She rode with them through parts of Whitton, which is covered by Twickenham Police, despite being in Brentford & Isleworth Constituency.
Ruth said of the experience:
“Spending time with local police has given me a real confidence in the skill, bravery, and professionalism of our local officers.
“I was particularly impressed by their use of technology, like tablets and integrated ANPR alerts in every car. This gives them more time on the beat and less time stuck behind a desk.
“Officers told me that some of the biggest challenges they face involve mental health, domestic violence, and taking on responsibilities that should be dealt with by other institutions.”
This comes after a recent meeting with the new West Area Commander, Jill Horsfall, who covers Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow.
Following that meeting, Ruth asked what the Government was doing to tackle shoplifting and assaults on staff:
“I was recently contacted by a constituent who works in a small high street supermarket. He and his colleagues have frequently been violently attacked by shoplifters, so what else can the Minister say about what the Government can do to protect shop workers?”
The Policing Minister, Diana Johnson, responded:
“…We will not tolerate the criminality that we have seen in recent times. That is why, following years of campaigning from the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and the Co-op, this Labour Government will finally deliver a stand-alone criminal offence of assaulting a retail worker.”
The Government has also ended effective immunity for ‘low value’ shoplifting, which was allowed under the previous Government.
This was followed by the introduction of the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which contained the following measures:
Giving police new powers against mobile phone theft. Police will no longer have to wait for a warrant to search properties where stolen items have been electronically geolocated. It will enable police to act swiftly in the ‘golden hour’ of investigations, which is particularly important for investigations into theft.
Introducing ‘Respect Orders’ for prolific antisocial behaviour offenders.
Giving police the power to seize vehicles that cause havoc to pedestrians. This includes off-road bikes being ridden in parks and dangerous e-scooters which are ridden on pavements.
Treating VAWG as the national emergency it is. Introducing Stalking Protection Orders, cracking down on spiking, and preventing sex offenders from changing their name.
Implementing the most important recommendation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, by making it a duty to report child sexual abuse, backed up by criminal sanctions for those who seek to cover up abuse.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said of the Bill:
“…The new Crime and Policing Bill is about taking back our streets and town centres, restoring respect for law and order, and giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to tackle local crime.
Ruth Cadbury commented:
“These measures will be a big help to the hardworking officers I met in Twickenham. The 13,000 extra neighbourhood police will make a difference to town centres like Hounslow. And these changes to the law around shoplifting and ASB, will help protect local shop workers and allow residents to feel safer.”